Tile spider

ABSTRACT

A tool for use in laying floor tiles onto an adhesive layer the tool including a raised hand or foot grip mounted on a plurality of legs splayed outwardly and downwardly relative to the hand grip to thereby form a hand rest raised to a working height above a floor on which the legs are resting.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a tool for use in the tile industry andparticularly to a tool for assisting in the laying of files and a methodinvolved in the laying of floor tiles using the tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present the laying of tiles can be a back breaking exerciseparticularly when tiles are laid on a floor.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of laying tiles and atool for use in the method which makes a tilers job easier, creates lessfatigue and will therefore reduce back and neck complaints at the sametime as offering a useful alternative choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a tool for use in a methodof laying floor tiles, the tool including a raised hand or foot grip orstep region mounted on a plurality of legs splayed outwardly anddownwardly relative to the hand or foot grip or step region to therebyform a hand or foot rest raised to a working height above a floor or thelike surface on which the legs are resting.

The grip or step region can be raised about 100 mm above the level ofthe bottom of the legs.

The grip or step region can be raised on three, four or more legs.

According to a second aspect of the invention the tool as hereinbeforedescribed can be placed in laid adhesive on an area to be tiled so atiler can walk, stand or rest his or her hand of R on the grip or stepregion to therefore make the tiler's task easier.

In use a tiler can step in and over laid tiles and/or adhesive by usingone or more of the tile spider tool(s) to effect more work whilesupporting themselves by hand or foot. This tool keeps the tiler'sshoulder's in a more even plane rather than bending forward therebycreating less body stress and strain.

The added height of the legs enables the tiler to extend his/her workarea.

Better weight distribution of the tiler is managed while maximisingextension into a work area.

The use of the tool allows a tiler to step or lean into and lay tiles onan area prepared with adhesive.

The support area used by the tiler is not restricted to being placed ona dry tile or adhesive free area and this allows a tradesman to achievea more comfortable working position. It allows a tiler to extend intotight areas.

The tool can be used as an island platform to work from into otherwiseunreachable prepared areas. Use of more than one tile spider allows atiler to walk into a prepared area and allows the tiler to maintain astraight back and even shoulders while extending into and over a workarea.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing descriptions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A particular example of the invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in views (a) to (h) a tiler in a series of differentpositions using a tile spider in use;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the spider;

FIG. 3 shows an elevation of the spider;

FIG. 4 shows an end elevation of the spider; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the spider

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXAMPLE

An example at the invention and its use will now be described.

In FIGS. 2 to 5 is shown an example of tile spider according to theinvention. In the example the tile spider has a raised hand or foot gripor step region 1 mounted on a plurality of legs 2 which are splayedoutwardly and downwardly relative to the hand or foot grip or stepregion 1 to thereby form a hand or foot rest raised to a working heightabove a floor or the like surface on which the legs 2 are resting.

In the example the grip or step region 1 is constructed from a snortlength of box or rectangular section steel. The ends 4 of the grip orstep region 1 can be fixed to legs 2 each pair of which is constructedin the form of inverted U or V. The U or V-shaped legs can be formedfrom an appropriate length of pipe, rod or tube. The legs 2 aremaintained in their splayed apart orientation shown in FIG. 6 bytransverse members 5.

The grip or step region 1 can be raised about 100 mm above the level ofthe bottom of the legs 2.

In FIG. 1 is shown a variety of positions and situations where the tilespider can be used. For example drawing 1(a) shows a tiler reachingover; an area covered by an adhesive. The tile spider is shown partlyresting on the adhesive. This enables the tiler to extend his work areaas shown into a corner while maintaining balance and a good bodyposition.

In FIG. 1(b) the tiler is shown with a straighter than normal back whilereaching over an area covered by adhesive

In FIGS. 1(c), (d), (f) and (g) the tiler is shown in further positionswhich can be adopted when using the tile spider.

In FIG. 1(e) and (h) are shown two examples of position for a tilerstanding in a crouched position on a tile spider in the centre of anarea being tiled.

Advantages of the invention are improved productivity and an increase inthe area over which a tiler can reach particularly over areas preparedwith adhesive.

A particular example of this invention has been described and it isenvisaged that improvements and modifications can take place withoutdeparting from the scope of the attached claims.

1: A tool for use in a method of laying floor tiles, the tool includinga raised hand or foot grip or step region mounted on a plurality of legssplayed outwardly and downwardly relative to the hand or foot grip orstep region to thereby form a hand or foot rest raised to a workingheight above a floor or the like surface on which the legs are resting.2: A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the grip or step region israised about 100 mm above the level of the bottom of the legs. 3: A toolas claimed in claim 1 wherein the grip or step region is raised onthree, four or more legs. 4: A tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein theraised hand or foot grip or step region is constructed from a length ofbox or rectangular section metal. 5: A tool as claimed in claim 1wherein the legs are constructed from a length of pipe, tube or rod. 6:A tool as claimed in claim 5 wherein the legs are inverted U or V shapedin side elevation. 7: A method of laying tiles using the tool as claimedin claim 1 wherein the tool is placed in laid adhesive on an area to betiled so a tiler can walk, stand or rest his or her hand or foot on thegrip or step region to thereby make the tiler's task easier. 8: A methodas claimed in claim 7 wherein a tiler can step in and over laid tilesand/or adhesive by using one or more of the tile spider tool(s) toeffect more work while supporting themselves by hand or foot. 9: Amethod of laying tiles using the tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein thetool is placed on a dry tile or adhesive free area so a tiler can walk,stand or rest his or her hand or foot on the grip or step region tothereby make the tiler's task easier. 10: A method as claimed in claim 7wherein the tool is used as an island platform to work from intootherwise unreachable prepared areas. 11: A method as claimed in claim10 wherein the use of more than one tile spider allows the tiler to walkinto a prepared area and allows the tiler to maintain a straight backand even shoulders while extending into and over a work area.